Christmas Eve feast a family affair at Rossbrook House

Plates full of food, gifts in hand and smiles — lots and lots of smiles. 

That was the scene at Rossbrook House Sunday where the Sons and Daughters of Italy annual Christmas eve feast was held for the first time since the pandemic. The feast brought together inner-city youth, their families and caregivers along with anyone looking for a full plate of food this holiday season.

"Not only did it fill the bellies of many people, but it also filled the hearts of all of us knowing that our children and our families are taken care of," said Rossbrook House executive director  Patty Mainville. 

Rossbrook House is located in a former United Church at the corner of Ross Avenue and Sherbrook Street in Winnipeg's Centennial neighbourhood.

More than 1,000 children and youth aged six to 24 use the centre each year, according to its website. The centre's offerings include alternative school programs, sports and music programming, a young mom's group and Indigenous cultural activities.

Mainville said something that was special about Sunday's event was for the children who Rosbrook House regularly serves to show the place to their families or caregivers. 

"There were so many happy families today and children because the children don't necessarily get to see their families come into that space because it's a drop in centre for children and youth," she said. "But to have their families come in and for them to introduce them to staff or to tell them about what they do in the building was amazing." 

Mainville also said all the young people Rossbrook House serves who came Sunday went home with a gift suited to their interests. There were also extra gifts available so family members could receive one too. 

"It made it extra special to be able to do that," said Mainville. 

There were two settings planned for 60 people each, but co-chair of the feast Reno Augellone said there was enough food made for around 300 people. He also said in total, more than 200 people were able to enjoy a holiday meal Sunday. 

He said the Christmas Eve feast is the big event of his holiday season. 

"It's very meaningful, the last three, four years it was great that we were able to donate food and all that, but there was something missing," he said. "I'm one of the original co-chairs, been doing this since day one and it takes a bit of organizing, but this is my Christmas I like forward to this every year." 

"It was great to be back, it was great to see the smiles and faces of family and friends and the kids," he said. 

Mainville also said she expects the extra food to get used in the coming days and that overall, Sunday's feast was a resounding success.